Sep 01 Music Lessons 2020
Music Lessons 2020
Music Tuition Details
Students can choose to take lessons in the college in any of the instruments listed below:
- Bass Guitar
- Clarinet
- Flute
- Guitar
- Organ
- Percussion
- Piano
- Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Violin
- Voice
Music Lessons
Please go to the Shop tab on the college website to purchase lessons. Your son will be added to lesson timetables, once payment is received. Email musiclessons@castleknockcollege.ie with any queries.
*Please note, we do accommodate starts, later in the term. Please email for adjustments.
Tuition on musical instruments is available in the College on a 2-Term basis.
| Term 1: 14 Weeks | Term 2: 14 Weeks |
| 14th September – First week of New Year | 18th January – Summer |
| Private lessons €350 | Private lessons €350 |
| Double Lessons €220 | Double Lessons €220 |
Lessons are provided by expert tutors on a variety of instruments and activities. Lessons take place during the school day. Tutors arrange timetables on a rotational basis to minimise disruption from regular classes. There is a variety of options available to students on the uptake of music lessons in the College:
Important: Paired lessons are available to beginners in Woodwind, Brass, Strings, Percussion, Guitar and voice only. Piano cannot be taught in a double lesson.
*The group lessons are subject to demand on the instrument. Students must also be of the same level in a group lesson. Therefore, it is not always possible to accommodate everyone who wants to avail of the group lessons. *This means that in term 1, if a student is not able to be accommodated in a double lesson, the fee will only cover 9 solo classes. It is up to the parent to decide if they wish to continue solo lessons for the term and pay the remainder, or cease lessons at that point. Any student can re-join lessons at any point, once the fee is paid.
In term 2, the cut off point for double lessons will be week 5. At this point of the year, it should be clear whether doubles are available for the student.
Instrument Rental/Purchase
There are a number of options available to pupils beginning a new instrument.
High quality instruments can be obtained on a rent-to-buy basis, whereby a small deposit is paid for a student to try it out for a term before fully committing to it. The remaining cost may then be paid to purchase it, in full. Please feel free to mention the College, as it may help the rental process move more quickly. (For more info: go to www.paulryanmusic.com. Based in Temple Bar, quality instruments are available with an excellent after-care service). We will also be able to advise on where to purchase beginner instruments, for as little as €90 (online from http://www.thomann.de or http://www.gear4music.ie). Beginner instruments are available at a very cheap price, but pupils may ‘grow out of them’, sooner. However, this can be an excellent option, too.
Instrumental ensembles
We are delighted to offer Instrumental ensembles for many of the instruments. These are free of charge. Students beginning brass or woodwind will be encouraged to join the 1st Year Band, where only a few weeks of lessons will be required to make a great sound. Orchestras are offered to students of all abilities and experiences. These are hugely beneficial to pupils, both musically and socially.
Homework policy
When a student absents themselves from a class to attend a music lesson, they are obliged to get the homework assigned to that class and complete it. This has been common practice in the school for many years and it is important that this rule is adhered to.
Should you wish to avail of instrumental tuition in the school year, please complete the form on the reverse of this page.
Music and Covid
In line with government guidelines, there will be a number of safety measures in place. The smaller practice rooms are to be closed temporarily. Large spaces have been made available that will allow for adequate ventilation and distancing that will exceed recommended requirements. Brass and woodwind will seat teacher and pupil side by side at a distance of at least three metres. Regular cleaning will take place and disinfectants will be provided. Added care will be taken with instruments.
Rehearsals will now take place in the Concert Hall with orchestras divided into much smaller, spaced groups with less frequent ‘live’ rehearsals. Tailor-made digital resources will also allow for rehearsals from home. Performances may take the form of live-streams for the time being. We are confident that your son will continue to make strong progress and stay connected to their peers in creating music together, safely.